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Lots of air= lots of subwoofer

After moving, my new listening space increased dramatically. My solo 10" sub just didn't do it. Now that I have moved up to two 15 inchers: the bass is truly being delivered. What I find especially satisfying, is not the heavy duty bass passages of recordings that really happen at high volumes, but the 4 string bass of a jazz quartet listening at very low volumes. The delicacy of prodigious bass at low volumes? I realize that is oxymoronish, but I think you understand what I'm trying to convey. Low volume bass (for instance, Missouri Skies) truly adds that gentle air movement that makes the music have another dimension; another feeling. Anybody with similar experiences? warren :-)
128x128warrenh
larry510
121 posts
 
Hi,

Yes. I have Klipsch Cormwalls with 15" woofers and have listened to the same cd (Missouri Skies) and the bass is palpable at low volumes. Quite different then a system with twin 6" or single 8" or 10" woofers.

Larry
bigbucks5
184 posts
 
Do you think that this illustrates the importance of the Fletcher-Munson effect? In the old days, there was a 'loudness' button which would increase bass output at low volumes, and to me, this made low volume listening much more enjoyable. Nowadays, not only don't you have a loudness button, most people don't even have 'tone' controls.

So what can you do for low volume levels? In your case, you got more and bigger subs. Maybe that's just another way of compensating for the F-M effect?
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
The F-M curve may partly explain the sense of more "air", but based on articles I've read, and some personal conversations that I've had with Richard Vandersteen, there is a more likely explanation. Using a subwoofer with crossover that handles the lower two octaves relieves the main speakers from handling the lower frequencies, thereby reducing distortion from the main drivers.

When I installed my pair of Vandy 2Wq subs, one of the first things I noticed -- after better defined and deeper bass -- was greater overall transparency, dynamics, and sound-staging from the main speakers (Vandy 3A Sig's). And I know it was not just my impression -- several friends who have "good ears" also heard the overall improvement in the sound quality of the main speakers.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh OP
2,299 posts
 
Scott, I don't think we're on the same page. I run my Caravelles full range. Why not. They are absolutely wonderful from top to bottom, but a 7" woofer cannot move the air in a large room with 12 foot ceilings. That's where the sub comes in. I have my James crossed over at 50Hz. The air movement, bass, and richness comes from the (quality of course is a priority as well) size of the woofer. Everything being equal a 10" cannot do what a 15" can do in any room. The distortion you mentioned. I'm talking about low to very low volumes. Speaker/woofer stress, if you will, is not a factor.
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